Anthony van Dyck – celebrated all over Europe for his portraits of
the rulers, military commanders, artists, and beauties of his time. He
captured his subjects with unparalleled vitality while also clearly
denoting their status. Yet Van Dyck’s path to fame was not easy: his
artistic beginnings were shaped by the famous Peter Paul Rubens: the
equally admired and almost unassailable role model. Early histories
testify to an intense engagement with Rubens, but also a tough struggle
against his overpowering precedent. It was only in Italy, under the
influence of Venetian painters, of Titian and Tintoretto, that Van Dyck
found his own style. His portraits are marked by a sensitive observation
of personality, which he represented with an equally fine, almost
tactile rendering of fabrics, presented against a backdrop of stately
décor.
This exhibition presents the results of a research project over several
years, exploring in particular the genesis of Van Dyck’s works and his
workshop practice. The Alte Pinakothek’s own Van Dyck collection will be
enriched by international loans, including drawings and oil sketches,
allowing the visitor to follow the artist’s working process.
